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In June of 2003, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time, my sons and I were still grieving over the loss of my sister and a close friend to cancer. I did not want to put my sons through the pain of seeing me weaken from chemotherapy treatment. I would like to nominate myself and my two sons to be an honorary “bat family”. Just like the Angels wouldn’t be a team without every player doing their part, I am a survivor because of others that gave me joy, strength, and determination to stay in the line up. Amongst the angels in my life, my sons are my greatest fans. My two disabled, adopted sons needed me to be strong I was determined to stay strong and carry on as usual to the best of my ability. I needed to do that for my sons, my students, my family and my friends. Initially, my determination was instinctive and maternalistic. I continued to work through my chemotherapy. I had my treatment on Thursday afternoon so that I’d be my sickest on Saturday. People saw me as courageous, but I was really a coward. There was a shame that came upon me. My body was disfigured, my long hair gone, the pain that resulted in me being wheelchair bound for a while, my inability to meet the needs of my sons…there is much more to fighting cancer than the disease… My eldest son learned to wash clothes, cook TV dinners and help my younger son get ready for school each day. Watching my boys grow in courage and responsibility was my medicine. As quaint as it may sound, getting away to see an Angel’s game brought relief to my son’s and myself. It allowed us to enjoy “today” together. Although I adopted my two sons because of their needs, I realized during that period how much I needed them. Their acceptance took away the pain. Their joy was contagious. Their compassion brought healing. The strength we gave one another was life changing. Now that I am feeling better and praying for a complete recovery, the three of us are thankful for the hardships that we have been able to grow through together. Our bond with the ANGELS Baseball team is special. Not only did they provide relief in hard times, we understand teamwork because WE are cancer survivors together. .

4 months after losing my mom to breast cancer I too was diagnosed with it. It was found on a MRI which my mom's Oncologist ordered for comparison for the years to come. Before leaving from that test, the Radiologist read it and wanted to do another mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. Before I left his office I was diagnosed. I had mastectomies on both breasts, and chemotherapy. Throughout my treatment I endured with my faith in God, the love of my family and Angel's baseball. Attending games and watching them on TV when I was to ill to attend really lifted my spirits. I attended the party in the parking lot when they won the World Series! I finished Chemo within a week of the Angels winning and It was truly one of the happiest times of my life. I remain cancer free since then 7 years!.

Last fall I participated in the Susan G. Komen 60 mile walk in San Diego California. I walked for my mother as she had just finished treatment for breast cancer and was Cancer free. After watching my mom go through a year of Chemo at City of Hope I knew that I had to do something about breast cancer. I decided to the the 60 mile walk . After 5 months of traing and fundraising for the walk I was ready to go walk. I had earned my money and thought 60 miles would be a breeze. Ha! was I wrong I didn't train on hills-big mistake. The last day of the walk was so emotional. My cousin and I were tired and emotional. It was such an accomplishment for us to finish the walk and be one step closer to find a cure for breast cancer..

IN 2007 MY GRANDMOTHER THE LADY THAT RAISED ME SHE PROVIDED FOR ME WAS DIGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER SHE FOUGHT FOR A YEAR SHE WENT THROUGH CHEMO EVERY WEEK I WOULD BE WITH HER AT THE DOCTORS OFFICE IT THEN SPREAD TO HER LIVER AND IN 2008 SHE GOT REAL SICK FLUIDS THEN BEGAN TO FILL HER BODY SHE WAS IN TOO MUCH PAIN SHE BEGAN TELLING US HOW SHE WANTED HER FUNERAL IT HURT REALLY BAD SHE WENT HOME ON HOSPICE SHE STOP TALKING SHE WOULD WAKE UP AND NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING SHE NEVER GOT TO MEET MY SON. SHE PAST AWAY EASTER DAY MARCH 23, 2008. .

My wife, Beth, is a huge Angels 'fan. She even has an autographed Jeff Mathis baseball card on her night stand! The only thing in baseball that gives her greater joy than an Angel victory is to watch our oldest son play, who is a starting pitcher for his high school team. Well, even though she had diagnostic mammograms every six months, Beth was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer this past January. She's had surgery, and has missed some of our son's games pitching due to chemotherapy, which breaks her heart. But, she gets inning-by inning text messages on how he's doing if she can't make it. She'll be getting ready to end chemotherapy just after Mother's Day, and will start radiation soon after. The Angels are one her escapes from the reality of cancer, and she and her two sons would be thrilled if she were honored as an Angels' bat girl as she goes to bat against cancer every day..

I personally have never had breast cancer, but it has run in my family. i think that this would be a wonderful chance to spread the word. i know i dont have some sob story about a family member tragically dying, but i have had skin cancer. i am always looking for charity work and helping whenever and where ever i can. i love baseball and love that this is a chance to do good for cancer research and be at a baseball game. please allow me to be the official bat girl. this is a once in a life time oppurtunity, which i would charish, respect , and honor..

This is my cousin, Jesse's story and she doesn't know I'm telling it, but I'm sure she won't mind! Se's the one on your right in the photo. This kid blows my mind. At 24 years old (she turns 25 in October), she was diagnosed with STAGE 3 breast cancer. There is no history of breast cancer on either side of her family and no rhyme or reason to why a healthy 24-year-old would be faced with something like this. She can tell you the harrowing details of chemo, the removal of her breast, the reconstruction (she has one more surgery) because I honestly don't know much about it, which is sort of the point of my telling this story. She has not once complained. When I first spoke to her about it, she said very matter-of-factly that she was going to be great and if God was ready for her, she was ready, too. That's a pretty big statement to make at 24. This past year her mother has become quite sick and has been in and out of ICU for about 4 months now. Guess who drives her to appointments, takes care of her and maintains the house? Jesse. And she does it all with a smile. I have never once heard her say even, "This is unfair. This stinks. I hate this..: Never. She has shown true courage--courage that we don't knwo we have until we're standing in front of the dragon. And this one keeps breathing fire and she slays it every time. I couldn't be prouder of her. As if her own battle wasn't courageous enough, now she's battling for her mother and her older sister who is having health issues of her own and isn't around to help. It's all Jesse. This kid deserves some fun and just for a moment to have it be all about her. I would love it if whomever selects these honorary bat girls can do just that. Thanks for listening. ~Heather the Proud Cousin.

Breast cancer is not a death sentence..It is a Life Sentence. I was 43 years old when i was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. I had no family history, I dont smoke or drink, i excercise 6days a week..how could this be? It has been 15months since my last round of chemo, 1 year post radiation. I just completed my 2nd half marathon last month since treatment ended. I am now training for a 50mile bike ride in the Livestrong Challenge in San Jose Ca. Cancer picked the wrong girl!!! I am grateful for the life ahead of me- - after battling cancer, I know i can conquer anything!.

My mom's unyielding support of her family through good times and bad has been a consistent theme in my life. She fought through breast cancer when I was younger, yet still found time to support me in my goals and dreams. Her mantra of "anything's possible" has stuck in my head and pushed towards a career working in baseball and my current position with MLB. Her support is something that all mom's share but I feel that she should be recognized on the field for her neverending love and courage. Thank You.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on April Fool's Day, 1996. Soon after, my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer. In 2004 my husband was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I have learned more about cancer then I ever wanted to know and now I am a mighty cancer-fighter. It has made me tough. Baseball has been a great friend to me, offered joy (especially in 2002!) and strength, you just never give up. The Angels don't and I have complete faith in them. With the help of Angels (heavenly) and The Angels I have beat cancer for 13 years (yippeee!) I am a grateful Breast Cancer Survivor and Angels Baseball Fan..